Elke Martha Anni Zabel

LIFE STORY OF
Elke Zabel
February 10, 2026

Today, we celebrate the life of a remarkable woman, our mom, Elke Zabel. She was born on February 22, 1943, in Hamburg, Germany, in the middle of a world changed by WWII. She was the first child born to Hermann and Herta Pauer and she had one sibling, Udo Pauer. Her earliest years were marked by hardship and times when lodging and food were scarce. Each day brought new challenges. Her family often foraged for potatoes and berries just to get by. In those difficult times, Elke’s courage and determination developed and she would carry that strength throughout her life.

Her favorite childhood memories were the simple Sundays spent with her dad and Udo in the countryside — packing water and sandwiches, climbing trees, and enjoying long afternoon walks. She often told us kids that her father knew everything about nature and weather. We recently found documentation that explains the work he performed for the German Navy and later for the Naval Weather Service Central Office. She often spoke of how intelligent he was and how much she loved learning from him.

Growing up in Germany, living in a tiny apartment with her brother and parents was not easy. Space was extremely limited, so she did not get to have a room of her own, instead sleeping on the couch in the living room, where she would listen late at night to Radio Luxembourg. This is where she got her first exposure to American music like Elvis Presley and Chubby Checkers. Her love for music continued throughout her life – especially for artists like Elvis Presley, the Oak Ridge Boys, Michael Bolton, Vince Gill, Roger Whittaker, and the Statler Brothers. Later in life, she and her husband went to see Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, and Kenny Rogers in concert, which she greatly enjoyed.

While she lived in Germany, she loved taking trips with her friends, especially her best friend, Heidrun. With her youth group, she often went to the East Sea where they would stand up while riding around in convertibles, waving at passersby. Those days were filled with carefree moments and laughter.

After finishing school, Elke earned her Import and Export Degree and became a “Kauffrau” apprentice which her dad encouraged her to pursue. She enrolled in a three-year apprenticeship program, working three days in an office and studying two days a week. Thanks to Heidrun’s uncle, a managing director, at the African and Eastern Trading Company – she was able to work in
international shipping, often dealing with faraway regions like Ghana, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and India. Elke excelled in languages and shorthand. After finishing her apprenticeship, she worked at
another import and export trading company where she earned four merit raises in one year, due to her excellent work.

But adventure was calling and when she heard that her friend, Uschi, was heading to America to visit her brother, Peter David, she immediately told Uschi she was going to join her! Elke was always curious about American history and heard many stories when her Aunt Mothes, who lived in Siren, Wisconsin, came back to Germany to visit family. Airfare to the US was $2,000, but the two resourceful young women found a freighter ship that cost no more than $150. So off they went, with just $130 each, a few suitcases, and a lot of courage (and apparently without a booked cabin or bunk)! Reflecting on her first year in America, she often spoke of gratitude to George Wessel, the man who sponsored her and made a new beginning in America possible.

They arrived in the United States on March 29, 1966 excited for an American adventure. Elke quickly found work, and not long after, she met Hartmut (Hardy), the man who would become her husband — our Dad. They met at German Zion Baptist Church in Milwaukee and the first time Hardy saw Elke in church, he told his mother that he was going to marry that girl from Hamburg. He started wooing her by driving her and Uschi home after church on Sundays. After just two months, he proposed in May of 1966. Their early courtship was filled with joy — they loved going to Terry Kohler-Andrae Park, eating ice cream, and watching movies. Despite being intimidated at first by Hardy’s parents, after their wedding on April 8, 1967, Elke was welcomed with open arms. Her in-laws helped them set up their first home and supported them as they started their new life.

When Elke became pregnant with Erik (1968), she quit her career to stay home and care for her growing family. That’s when life took on its sweetest meaning for her. She said Oma and Opa Zabel
continued to shower her with love and Oma taught her everything she needed to know about raising children which included diapering, cooking, and most importantly, baking. After Erik’s birth, Elke had three more children, Stephanie (1970), Andrea (1973), and Mark (1975). One of her favorite memories was how Oma Zabel embraced being a grandmother and all the love and happy
memories she created for her kids during our Saturday visits (especially spoiling the kids with streusel kuchen and cookies). Friends and family still remember Elke as the mother whose children were always clean and well-dressed, no matter how busy life was.

Family memories were everything to her and her favorite family trips were to Door County. Invited by the next-door neighbors, the Pfisters, the Zabel family attempted to camp, but the weather did not cooperate. The first trip did not go too well; with rain for two continuous days, in borrowed tents with leaking air mattresses. Elke referred to it as a disaster. Elke and Hardy admitted defeat and headed home after just 2 days.

Over time, they learned from their experiences and the following summer, they borrowed camping gear from Onkel Volker which went smoother. Eventually they purchased a used pop-up camper,
turning camping with the Pfister family into one of our family’s annual traditions. Elke enjoyed spending these days at the beach, reading her books, and watching sunsets while we camped at
Peninsula State Park.

As her kids grew older, Elke enjoyed working in retail at Hallmark and Fashion Bug. But her true love and purpose was caring for children and babysitting her grandchildren. She also worked at various daycares and volunteered in the church nursery with her sister-in-law, Sandy Zabel. She and Hardy later spent many years leading Awana groups at Ridgewood Church, which they both
greatly enjoyed. As she went over lessons and verses with the children, it brought her joy sharing the scriptures and hymns she knew so well. In later life, Elke and Hardy enjoyed the company of their dear friends, Allen and Sandy Fiene. They had many adventures that we probably only know the half of. As grandparents, Elke and Hardy made many road trips to Houston, Texas, to visit Stephanie’s family and stay active in their grandchildren’s lives.

One of Elke and Hardy’s favorite hobbies was fishing. They loved to fish and spent many hours and days in retirement, secretly competing as to who would catch the bigger fish (according to Elke it was always her)! They would typically fish off a pier or shoreline, yet they never kept their fish — only catch and release for them, despite their shared love for an excellent fish fry. After Hardy’s death, Elke continued to enjoy fishing with her son and grandson during the family’s annual trip to Door County. Another favorite pastime was reading, and Elke would often stay up until the wee hours of the morning to just “finish the chapter (or book!)” She favored mystery or suspense novels and often shared her books with others. A paperback book was always nearby Elke, and her current placeholder was not held by a bookmark, but rather, a chip clip!

Elke was a woman of strength, humor, compassion, and determination. After Hardy passed away in 2020, she remained independent and started traveling with her daughter, Stephanie. She was always up for an adventure and felt she could keep up with any activity (for example, riding on wave runners after she was 80 years old and exploring one of the highest mountain peaks in America just this past October).

Elke really enjoyed participating in the White Cross Ministry at church. This ministry assembles medical supplies for medical missions in Cameroon. Elke would typically take a spot at the bandage rolling station and enjoyed bringing desserts as part of the fellowship time. Elke enjoyed becoming closer to the ladies at Ridgewood and appreciated every hug given and received on Sunday mornings after the service.

Despite Elke’s love of travel and excitement, she found contentment in the little things too. A shopping trip to Ross or HomeGoods, eating a meal out at a restaurant or watching a movie on the couch with her kids (especially followed by an ice cream treat) were delightful to her.

Each chapter of her life reflected her courage, gratitude, and enduring faith. From the rubble of postwar Germany to the family she built in America, Elke’s story is one of resilience and love.

Today as we honor her life, we remember Elke not just for the challenges she overcame but for the love she gave us so freely. Her strength, her warmth, and her stories will live on through those of us who were lucky enough to call her Mom, family or friend.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

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